Arsen Markarian
Arsen Markarian, born 1995, Moscow. Charges: Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code (Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War (committed by a group of…); “Arsen Markarian's case of insulting the memory of defenders of the Fatherland”. Sentence (March 5, 2026): 4 years 6 months' imprisonment in a general regime colony. Status: imprisoned.
In brief
Moscow · Moscow · Bloggers
Sentence
4 years 6 months
imprisonment in a general regime colony
No information about an appeal ruling.
Charges
- Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code — Insulting the memory, symbols, and veterans of the Great Patriotic War (committed by a group of individuals or using mass media or the Internet)
Full wording of the charges
According to the investigation, no later than 25 February 2025 Markarian, aware of the popularity of one of the video hosting sites, posted for an unlimited number of people a video recording that contains information about insulting the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland. According to the VChK-OGPU telegram channel, the case was initiated because of the video with Markarian's rude statement about Soviet soldier Aleksander Matrosov, who, according to the official version, died in 1943 by closing the embrasure of a German bunker with his body. Later, another episode appeared in the case: a certain video in which Markarian, according to the authors of the expertise, "stated that there were no questions about the activities of Adolf Hitler" and "expressed public support" for his actions.
Latest event
March 5, 2026 — first-instance verdict
The court delivered a guilty verdict: 4 years 6 months.
Timeline
· First-instance verdict
guilty verdict · 4 years 6 months
· Preventive measure: pre-trial detention
· Persecution begins
Arsen Markarian's case of insulting the memory of defenders of the Fatherland
Criminal case
Arsen Markarian's case of insulting the memory of defenders of the Fatherland
- Case number
- 2-0035/2026
Write a letter
The address is not listed in the database.
Details and sources
Full summary
Blogger, known for misogynistic statements. In January 2025, the Moscow prosecutor's office reported that it had initiated a criminal case against him under the article on calls to terrorism and transferred the materials to the Investigative Committee. The Beware of Moscow publication wrote that the investigation was connected with Markarian's statements in an interview for another blogger Dmitry Larin. Since then, the Investigative Committee has not reported whether a procedural decision has been taken on these materials.
In August 2025, Markarian travelled to Russia and announced a major event for his followers. A few days later, he was detained in a case of insulting the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland. According to the VChK-OGPU telegram channel, the case was initiated because of a video with Markarian's crude statement about Soviet soldier Aleksander Matrosov, who, according to the official version, died in 1943 by covering the embrasure of a German bunker (firing point) with his body. After Markarian's detention, the IC reported that the blogger had previously been put on the wanted list in this case. On 25 August 2025, the blogger was taken into custody.
On 5 March 2025, Markarian was sentenced to four and a half years in a general regime colony.
All fields of the record
- Citizenship
- Russia
Other people prosecuted under Article 354.1 part 4, Russian Criminal Code
Under the same article, not necessarily in the same case.